Warm welcome as Roy returns from wilderness

FAI chief executive Fran Rooney yesterday praised the role of international team manager Brian Kerr in securing Roy Keane's return to international football.

Keane's return was confirmed in a one-sentence statement from his legal adviser Michael Kennedy. The former captain was not available for comment.

The information available to the press yesterday confirmed that Keane, who is 32, had changed his mind about playing again for Ireland after declining an invitation from Kerr upon his appointment as manager a little more than 12 months ago.